Transmission control and switch mechanism therefor



March 9, 1954 R. H. LONG 2,671,352

TRANSMISSION CONTROL AND SWITCH MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 31, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l O 4- ,400 a I 5 4 52 //6 3 z 90 /"I"3 56 I //Z' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY i March 9, 1954 R. H. LONG 2,671,352

TRANSMISSION CONTROL AND SWITCH MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 31, 195 0 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. /c/m ED hi L ONG ATTOENE Y March 9, 1954 LQNG 2,671,352

TRANSMISSION CONTROL AND SWITCH MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 31, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 D/recfmn 07 fuel 77am INVENTOR. QC/1 4180 H. LONG AT TOEN E Y Patented Mar. 9, 1954 TRANSMISSION CONTROL AND SWITCH MECHANISM THEREFOR Richard H. Long, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application March 31, 1950, Serial No. 153,042

9 Claims.

This invention relates to governor operated switch mechanisms suitable for use as a control unit for automotive transmissions of an auto-.

motive vehicle.

My invention relates to a governor actuated contact making and breaking switch mechanism designed for use in the power plant of an automotive vehicle or in connection with any device or mechanism where it is desired to coordinate a control device with the torque of a prime mover and the speed of a moving part; for example, the switch mechanism of my invention may be employed to control the change speed transmission of an automotive vehicle said mechanism being operated in accordance with the speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator the operation of the latter in large measure determining the torque of the engine of the vehicle.

Various types of governor actuated switches have been designed in an effort to meet the demand for such a device, however, such switches have been open to certain objections such as the inability to accurately respond to the combined effect of the engine torque and the vehicle speed. It is accordingly one of the principal object of my invention to provide a simple, compact and easily serviced governor operated switch, preferably a snap type of switch, the operation of which is controlled by the speed of the vehicle and the position of the accelerator.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a transmission controlling governor operated multi-stage snap switch mechanism controlled by the accelerator of an automotive vehicle and a vehicle Speed responsive governor of said vehicle. Such a switch mechanism serves, at different vehicle speeds and depending upon the position of the accelerator, to effect different settings of the transmission mechanism.

A further object of my invention is to provide a simple torque and speed controlled'governor operated multi-stage mechanism well adapted as a control for the automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle. a

The above and other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following description where one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view disclosing the switch mechanism of my invention employed as a control means for the change speed transmission mechanism of an automotive vehicle;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the switch mechanism of my invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view disclosing details of the switch mechanism of my invention said view being taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is another sectional view disclosing details of the switch mechanism of my invention said view being taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an explanatory view disclosing the switch controlling spring mechanism of the switch mechanism of my invention.

My improved governor snap switch mechanism consists of a three part casing the upper section it) thereof housing the accelerator operated means for controlling the switch mechanism, a central portion l2 thereof supporting, by fastening means I I a platform I 4 of insulating material which acts as a support for the switches of the mechanism; and a lower portion l6 of the casing serves, together with the platform l4 and the portion l2, as a housing for the governor of the switch mechanism.

The switches of the mechanism of my invention are preferably two in number, a single pole double throw switch l8 and a single pole double throw switch 20; however, no claim is made to the switches per se. The switch 20 includes a rectangular shaped actuator 22 one end of which is recessed to receive a tension spring 24. One end of this spring is seated within a recess in a post 25 which is secured, by a conductor pin 26, to a support member 2| of insulating material; and the support member is secured to the platform I l. The other end of the spring 24 is connected to the end of the actuator 22 upon which are mounted movable switch contacts 28 and 30.

The actuator 22 operates as a switch operating lever being fulcrumed upon the post 25; and

when the actuator is released to the position dis-' closed in Figure 4 it is operative to move its middle portion below the connection between the spring 24 and the post 25; and this operation results in an operation of the spring 24 to seat the contact 23 upon a fixed switch contact 32. The

latter member is secured to a post 29 of electrical-- 1y conductive material said post being secured to the platform I 4 and electrically connected with a switch contact terminal 35 to which is connected a wire 36.

The switch operating actuator 22 is actuated by an actuator arm 38 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin it; and the latter member is mounted in a support member 42 which is secured to the platform l4. As is disclosed in Figure 4 the actuator arm 38 is biased downwardly to its off position by a first stage operate and releaseandsecond stage operate and release spring 43 said spring being housed within a casing 44; and a screw 45 threaded within the upper portion of the casing 44 serves as a means for varying the compression of said spring. When biased downwardly by the spring 43 the actuator arm is moved to the position disclosed in Figure 4 the spring 24 then serving to move the contact 36 into contact with a fixed switch contact 46. The latter contact is secured to a post 48 of electrically conductive material which is secured by a pin 50 of electrically conductive material to a switch contact terminal 52; and a conductor 54, Figure is secured to this terminal 52.

Completing the description of the single Dole double throw switch 2!] a contact terminal 56 is fixed to the pin 26 and a conductor 58., Figure 2, is connected to said terminal. In the released position of the switch 2Uthe spring 43 serves to effect a closure of the switch 30, 46.

The single pole double throw switch I! is a duplicate in construction of the switch 20, accordingly,'the parts of theswitch I-B'which duplicate the corresponding parts of the switch are given the same reference numeral with the addition "of a prime. In the released position of the actuator arm 22 the parts of the switch I8 assume the position disclosed in Figure 4 the switch 80', 46" being closed.

Completing the description of the switch I8 the fixed contact 32 is secured to a post 58 of electrically conductive material which is electrically connected to a contact terminal Bil, Figure 2; and a conductor 62 is secured to said terminal. fixed contact 46", Figure 4, is secured to a post '64 of electrically conductive material and this :post is connected to a contact terminal 66 to'which a conductor 68 is secured. The post of the switch I8 is electrically connected, by pin III, to a contact terminal I21; and a conductor 14 is connected to said terminal.

The actuator arm is moved, to operate the switches :Ia and 20, by a vehicle speed responsive centrifugal governor 16. This governor includes a drive shaft T8 journalled within thecasing part I6 said shaft having drivably connected thereto a channel shaped plate 780. The shaft 18 is prefera'bly drivably connected to the propeller shaft of the vehicle wherebysaid shaft'is rotated in accordance with the speed of the vehicle. Centrifugal weights '82 and "Mare rotatablymounted on pins 86 and 81 which are mounted in the channel member .80 and said weights when rotated outwardly, Figure 4, serve 'by means of a thrust :pin 88, to rotate the-actuator arm 38 upwardly, Fig-- ures 3 and 4, to operate the switches 18 and 20. There is thus provided :a cubical fiyweight type of governor for operating a plurality of single pole double throw switches.

Describing now an important feature of my invention there is provided accelerator operated leverage changing means cooperating with the governor 1.6, the spring 48,, and other springs to be described, for controlling the operation of the switches I8 and 20. As to this feature of the invention one of the objects :of my invention is to provide means for operating the switches 18 and 20 in two stages of operation. The first stage of operation serves to openthe switch 310, 46 and close the switch 28, '32 of the switch 20, and the second stage of operation of the switch mechan'ism serves to open'the switch 46 and "close the switch 28', 22 of the switch 18. To this-end there is provided a so-called first stage operate and second stage operate and release spring 80,

Figures 3 and 5, mounted within a cup shaped member 92 said member being threadedly mounted within the platform I4 and a support 94 fitted tightly within the casing part Iii. The spring 90, which is preferably slightly preloaded in the released position of the accelerator and the released position of the governor It, is compressed between the lower end of a thrust pin 96 and a thrust pin 98 and the latter member being nested in the base of the cup shaped member 92, all as is disclosed in Figure 3.

The'accelerator operated means for controlling the operation of the switches I8 and it also includes -a preloaded second stage operating spring I68 Figure 5, preferably housed within a. cup

shaped member 102 which is threadedly mounted within the members I4 and 94; and this spring I00 is compressed between a thrust pin Hi4 and a thrust pin I06 nested in the base of the cup shaped member I02. The members 98 and I06 are positioned immediately above the actuator arm 38 and are adapted to be contacted when the latter is moved upwardly by an operation of the governor Hi.

The accelerator of the vehicle is indicated by the reference numeral I08, Figure 1, and this member is preferably connected to the pins and I04 by leverage changing means including linkage III) connected to a crank H2. The latter member is nonrotatably mounted on a shaft H2 journalled in bosses I I4 and H6 constituting a part of the casing part In. Cam members I18 and 4-20, connected to the shaft H2 by keys .3 and H 5, are held against lateral movement by a spacer member 2122; and stops I24 and I26 are in contact, respectively, with the cam members III! and I20.

The accelerator M8 .is preferably connected to a throttle valve 128 of the carburetor I3ll' of an internal combustion engine said engine being indicated by the reference numeral 132; and the governor operated switch unit of my invention, indicated as a whole by the reference numeral I134, may be mounted adjacent a change speed transmission mechanism 436 the four switches of said unit serving to control said mechanism. The switch mechanism of my invention may, for example, control the shifting of an automatic transmission designed to operate in combination with a torque converter, not shown.

Describing now the operation of the torque and speed responsive two stage governor operated switch mechanism-of my invention when the accelerator is in its released position and the vehicle is travelling at or below a relatively low speed, say 10 miles .per hour, the parts of the mechanism assume the position disclosed in Figures 3 and .4 of the drawings, and in these positions the switches 30, 46 and v3.0, 46 are closed and the switches '28, 3'2 and 28, 32' are open, the actuator arm 38 contacting the actuator 22, Figure 3. At a certain higher speed of the vehicle, say 20 miles per hour, the governor is operative, by means of the operation of 'the centrifugal weights 82 and 84 and the actuator arm 38, to compress the springs 43 and 90, Figure 5, sufficiently to effect an opening of the switch 39, 45 and the closing of the switch 28, 32 this operation being defined as the first stage operation of the switch mechanism; and in effecting this operation the accelerator operated cam IIB, Figure 3,isoperated to "compress "the spring '90 a certain amount.

Diagrammatically disclosed the bases of the springs flandso are then cn'th'e dotted line'prooperation of the switch mechanism preferably effects an operation of the transmission mechanism I36, Figure 1, to facilitate an increase in the speed of the vehicle.

The driver will then probably continue the depression of the accelerator I08 thereby increasing the speed of the engine I32; and this operation will probably result in an increase in the speed of the vehicle. Now when this speed reaches a certain factor the governor is operative, through the intermediary of actuator arm 38, to compress the spring I09 sufficiently to effect an opening of the switch 30', 45' and a closing of the switch 28', 32; and this operation of the single pole double throw switch I8 is defined as a second stage operation of the switch mechanism of my invention. Diagrammatically disclosed the base of the spring liltthen assumes the position coinciding with the dotted line prolongation of a line B, Figure 5.

It is to be noted that in opening the throttle to effect the aforementioned second stage operation of the mechanism the cam Q26 comes into play to increase the loading upon the spring Hi; and it is also to be noted that this second stage operation of the switch mechanism will effect another operation of the transmission mechanism 536 to facilitate an increase in the speed of the vehicle.

Describing now the reverse cycle of operations of the switch mechanism of my invention when r the load upon the actuator arm 38 is reduced by either a release of the accelerator to reduce the loading on the springs I00 and 90 or by a reduction in the speed of the vehicle to reduce the force exerted by the governor 16, or by a combination of both of these operations; then the actuator arm moves downwardly to its second stage release position; and in this position of the parts the spring IE0 is in its fully released position as is disclosed diagrammatically in Figure 5. As

disclosed in this figure the bases of the springs 95 and 43 reach a position coinciding with the prolongation witha line C when the second stage release operation of the switch IB is effected. With this operation of the switch [8 the switch 30', 46' is again made and the switch 28', 32 is again opened there being a resultant operation of the transmission I36 to'return the same toit previous setting.

Completing the description of the operation of the mechanism of my invention a subsequent further release of the accelerator or decrease in the speed of the vehicle, or a combination of these operations, will result in a first stage release operation of the switch 20 to again close the switch 30, 4B and open the switch 28, 32; and with this operation the springs 90 and 43 are expanded to the position diagrammatically disclosed in Figure 5. As is disclosed in this figure the spring 90 is then fully expanded; and this figure will also make it clear that the spring 43 effects the first stage release operation of the switch 20 when said spring reaches a certain position, that is a position indicated by a dotted line prolongation of letter D.

There is thus provided, by the switch mechanism of my invention, a simple, compact and easily serviced accelerator and speed responsive switch mechanism well adapted as a control means for the transmission mechanism of an automotive vehicle. Reference is made to the switch as being speed and accelerator responsive inasmuch as the position of the accelerator in large measure controls the speed of the engine; and the torque of the latter is proportional to its speed. 'With the mechanism of my invention the two upshift and two downshift stages of operation of the switch I34 are effected both by the control of the position of the accelerator and the speed of the vehicle. For example, for a given position of the accelerator both the upshift stages of operation of the switch may be effected provided the vehicle speed is sufficiently increased; however,-for the most part the first stage upshift' operation of the switch is effected by one throttle opening setting of the accelerator accompanied by an operation of the governor l6; and the second stage upshift operation of the switch is effected by another throttle opening of the accelerator accompanied by another operation of the said governor. With the switch of my invention the timing of operation thereof for a given setting of the accelerator, or a given speed of the vehicle, or both may be varied by adjusting the loading of the springs and IN! or by changing the position of the cams H3 and I23.

Although only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described various changes in the form and relative arrangements of the parts may be made to suit requirements.

I claim:

1. In an automotive vehicle including an accelerator and a change speed transmission mechanism, means for controlling the operation of the transmission mechanism including a governor operated switch mechanism comprising a plurality of switches, an actuator member for controlling the operation of said switches, and means for controlling the actuator member in its operation of eifecting an operation of the switch mechanism including a vehicle speed responsive governor, means for opposing the operation of the governor in its operation of moving the actuator member, and means, including spring means, controlled by the position of the accelerator, for controlling the operation of the latter means.

2. In an automotive vehicle including an accelerator and a change speed transmission mechanism, means for controlling the operation of the transmission mechanism including a governor operated switch mechanism comprising a plurality of single pole double throw switches, an actuator member for controlling the operation of said switches, and means for controlling the actuator member in its operation of effecting an operation of the switch mechanism including a vehicle speed responsive governor, yieldable means for opposing the operation of the governor, and means, including a plurality of cam members controlled by the position of the accelerator, for controlling the operation of the latter means.

3. In an automotive vehicle including an accelerator and a change speed transmission mechanism, means for controlling the operation of the transmission mechanism including a governor operated switch mechanism comprising a plurality of single pole double throw switches, an actuator member for controlling the operation of said switches, and means for controlling the actuator member in its operation of efiecting an operation of the switch mechanism including a vehicle speed responsive governor, yieldable means for opposing the movement of the actuator member, and means, including yieldable means and a plurality of cam members, controlled by the position of the accelerator for controlling the operation of the latter means.

4. In automotive "vehicle provided with an internal combustion engine comprising a carburetor said -.carburetor-including a throttle valve, an accelerator for operating the throttle valve to thereby. in a measure, control the torque of the engine, drive wheels, means interconnecting the drive "wheels and engine including a change speed transmission mechanism, means for controlling the operation of the latter mechanism including a governor operated switch mechanism comprising a plurality of switches, an actuator :member for controlling the operation of said switches, and means for controlling the actuator .member in its operation of efiecting an operation of theswitch mechanism includin avehicle speed responsive governor, means for opposing the operation'of the governor, and including a plurality of cam members controlled by the position of "the accelerator, for controlling the operation :of the latter means.

5. A switch mechanism comprising a casing, a platform mounted within the casing, switch means, including a ,plurality of switches, mounted on the platform, and means within the casing for operating the switches including a plurality of actuators and an actuator arm contactable with the actuators, a centrifugally operated governor for moving the actuator arm in one direction, yieldable means for moving the arm in the opposite direction, together with means for controlling the compression of the yieldable means to thereby control the operation of the switch means.

6. A switch mechanism comprising a casing, a platform mounted within the casing, switch means, including aplurality of single pole double throw switches, mounted on the platform, and means within the casing for operating the switches including a plurality of actuators and an actuator arm contactable with the actuators, a centrifugally operated governor for moving the actuator arm in one direction, yieldable means for moving the actuator arm in the opposite direction, together with means for controlling the compression of the yieldable means to thereby control the operation of the switch means.

"7. A two stage switch mechanism comprising a casing, a plurality of single pole double throw switches mounted within the casing, and means within the casing forsuccessively operating the switches in two stages of operation including a plurality of actuators and an actuator .arm contactable with the actuators, a centrifugally operated governor for moving the actuator arm in one direction, yieldable means for moving the actuator arm in the opposite direction, together with means for controlling the compression of the yieldable means to thereby control the operation of the switchmeans.

8. A switch mechanismcomprising a plurality of switches and means for operating said switches including a plurality of actuators and an actuator arm adapted to contact parts of the actuators to operate the same, a centrifugal governor op, erative to move the arm in one direction in the operation of operating the switches, a plurality of springs operable to oppose the aforementioned movement of the actuator arm and thereby control the timing of operation of said arm, and means for varying the compression of certain of the springs to thereby control the operation thereof.

9. A switch mechanism comprising a plurality of switches and means for operating said switches including a plurality of actuators and an actuator arm adapted to contact parts of the actuators to operate the same, a centrifugal governor operative to move the arm in one direction in the operation of operating the switches, a'plurality of springs operable to oppose the aforementioned movement of the actuator arm and thereby control the timing of :operation .of said arm, said springs, by their expansion, also serving to efiect an operation of the switches, and means, including a plurality of cams, for varying the compression of certain of the springs to thereby control the operation thereof.

RICHARD H. LONG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED "STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,993,544 Fleischel Mar. 5, 1935 2,304,862 Thomas ,Dec. 15, 1942 2,493,897 Petz et a1 Jan. 10, 1950 2,516,156 Sparklin July 25, 1950 

